Queen musical brings star power
If you’ve travelled through Wellington Airport recently you more than likely would have taken a second look at a giant throne in the terminal.
As families, kids and would-be rockers line up to have their photo taken on the throne, a closer look reveals that it’s promoting We Will Rock You – the hit musical based on the music of rock legend Queen – playing at the St James Theatre in August.
It’s a giant throne for a giant musical, and casting was critical for director David Adkins and musical director Zac Johns
“Obviously we were seeking people who could act and sing and dance,” said Adkins, “But one of the really key drivers was to find people who could rock, who showed a bit of sass, and knew how to let go and find the rhythm that exists beyond the music.”
The leads also needed to be able to bring out the comedy inherent in the script and be larger than life. “After all, it’s certainly not a drama.”
After an extensive process with more than 75 people turning out to audition, the creative team –Adkins, Johns and choreographer Ange McKellar – are thrilled with the mostly Wellington-based cast they have chosen.
They were put through their paces as the music is extremely challenging, Adkins said.
“Not least of all because Freddie’ Mercury’s range was so extraordinary. Queen wrote in a lot of harmonies and the instrumentals were often quite difficult as well.”
We Will Rock You was an interesting challenge, said Adkins, who directed last year’s successful run of Kinky Boots. “It’s part rock concert, part Queen tribute, whilst telling a story that has nothing at all to do with Queen but which uses their songs, and is visually quite spectacular. “We’ll be seeking to tell the story through the music as well as the words, but also to bring out the comedy that Ben Elton has managed to create in his script.”
Lighting, sound and audio visuals were key to the production.
“Often there are a great deal of things happening all at the same time – so co-ordination is a major factor. We have a fairly large cast (nearly 30), and the band is also on stage.
There are many pieces that fly in and out – the show never stops – and so many of the rehearsals will focusing on making everything slot together.”
For Caleb Jago-Ward, who has been cast as the lead, Galileo, this will be his third production of We Will Rock You having played roles in Christchurch and Hamilton productions. Apart from leads in many other shows across Australia, Asia and New Zealand, he was a finalist on the 2015 season of The Voice Australia on Team Delta and has been a member of The Ten Tenors.
The other leads – all with extensive backgrounds in theatre, dance and performing – are Ella Monnery, as Scaramouche, Nomi Cohen (Oz), Tia Minnoch (Killer Queen), Chris Gordon (Brit), David Hoskins (Khashoggi) and Corey Moir (Buddy).
In the ensemble are: Sophie Helm, Anna Nicole Smith, Alex Rabina, May Lee Burrows, Lizzie Bysouth, Allegra Canton, Adele Child, Allie Falkner, Hannah Flacks, Emily Gale, Gayle Hammersley, Louise Jamieson, Sam Kesala, Katty Lau, Olivia Marshall, Caitlin McDougall, Drew Naika, Stacey Neale, Molly O’Hagan, Catie Riordan, Nate Smyth, Jackson Stone, Lizzie Summers.
And the backing vocalists are: Karen Lau, Abigail Landsborough, Tania Parker and Jason Mackiewicz.
Produced by the Capital Theatre Trust and G&T Productions – the same companies that celebrated a sold-out season of ‘Wicked’ and 2022’s ‘Les Miserables’ – We Will Rock You, runs at the St James Theatre from August 15 to September 1. Tickets: ticketmaster